Ericsson in 4G talks with ME operators

Ericsson, the Swedish mobile phones and technology services provider, confirmed on Saturday it is negotiating with mobile operators in the Middle East to launch a next generation mobile broadband technology network in the region.4G, also known as Long-Term Evolution (LTE), will enable operators to offer enhanced wireless broadband services as well as Internet TV, mobile video blogging, on-line video games and the mobile office environment.

One of the most significant aspects of 4G, it is claimed, will be the mass capability to achieve "mobile broadband anytime anywhere".

Fredrik Landberg, VP Marketing Communication & Strategy of Ericsson in Saudi Arabia, said: "The 4G services will truly revolutionize your life by facilitating the means of communication for both institutions and individuals.

''These will include not only Internet telephones and videophones, but also easy teleconferencing, practical telecommuting, medical services such as remote diagnosis, interactive distance education, rich multimedia entertainment, digitally-controlled home appliances, and much more."

LTE enables new levels of performance in terms of peak data rates, spectrum efficiency and delay. Ericsson says it has already demonstrated peak rates of 160 mbps.

LTE can be deployed both in new and existing frequency bands and is designed to minimize the cost of network operation and maintenance.

The Gulf's information and communication technology (ICT) market is one of the fastest growing in the world. Industry estimates suggest a significant chunk of the new demand will come from Saudi Arabia.

According to published reports, the number of mobile users in the Kingdom rose by 31.6 percent from 28.388 million in 2007 to 37.35 million in 2008.

Ericsson and the Swedish operator TeliaSonera recently unveiled the world's first commercial LTE site in Stockholm, Sweden.

The site will be part of a commercial network scheduled to go live in 2010, bringing data rates far above what is possible in today's mobile broadband networks and allowing Stockholmers to stay connected and enjoy seamless, high-quality, online services even while on the move.

Erik Hallberg, Senior Vice President and Head of TeliaSonera Mobility Services in Sweden, said: "Being at the forefront of broadband evolution means our customers will be the first to benefit from this groundbreaking technology. This first LTE site is a key step towards further enhancing Sweden's fastest mobile broadband network."